Benched For First 4 T20I vs West Indies By Gautam Gambhir, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Drops Cryptic Post

Gautam Gambhir in a chat with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi© BCCI/Creimas

The wait goes on for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Since the start of the West Indies series, the 15-year-old opening batter hasn't featured in a single game for India, warming the bench in all four assignments head coach Gautam Gambhir and others in the team management prefer the pairing of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. With the series tied 2-2, the pressure is increasing on Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer to give Sooryavanshi a chance in the playing XI. While coach Gambhir has already made his plans for the teenage prodigy clear, Sooryavanshi hinted at what is going on in his mind during this frustrating period of wait.

In a cryptic social media post, Sooryavanshi wrote "still believing", seemingly hinting that he hasn't lost hope about earning spot in the playing XI for the 5th and final T20I against West Indies and guiding the team to a series-sealing victory.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi story ahead of 5th & final T20Is against West Indies. https://t.co/cfZfZi0uSw

— Cricket Central (@CricketCentrl) October 16, 2026

What Gambhir said on Sooryavanshi's limited opportunities:

Known for his no-nonsense style of coaching, India head coach Gautam Gambhir made his stance clear over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's limited opportunities under him. Gambhir said that it would not be fair if the management decides to drop one of Abhishek Sharm and Sanju Samson to accommodate Sooryavanshi.

"I think Samson showed what he is capable of. Someone doesn't become Player Of The Tournament in the World Cup without having talent, so he has done enough. Obviously, it was tough- probably the toughest decision I have taken in my coaching career, was leaving him out of that England series because of the way he had performed before that," said Gambhir.

"But again, sometimes you go with the players form as well. From my point of view, I wanted to go back to the combination we had during the World Cup, because those guys after three or four failures, don't become bad players. If a team that has gone from one World Cup to another one unbeaten and has won the World Cup. Suddenly, it has become a team after one series and these guys not become bad players."

For Sooryavanshi, Gambhir's message is clear. He has to wait for his opportunity.

"From Vaibhav's point of view, it is again a very clear conversation that he has to wait for his opportunity. We know the kind of talent he has. We know what he can do. But again, someone who done extremely well over a period of years obviously will always be ahead of someone who has got into the team. Whenever he gets that chance, you will get a longer run as well," he explained.

While Gambhir doesn't see Sooryavanshi's promotion to the playing XI as a controversial decision, the 15-year-old has surprisingly gotten more consistent opportunities to play under VVS Laxman, who has coached the team whenever Gambhir has been busy with other assignments.

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